Pacers' Paul George says he will sign a long-term deal before the season

Indianapolis Star | Sep 19

Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Paul George said today the team’s fans don’t need to worry about him going anywhere.

Indianapolis is his professional home and he plans to be here for a long time.

“(A long-term contract) is going to get done” George told The Indianapolis Star. “There will be a deal signed and sealed on the table before the season. We’re (George and Pacers management) on the same page.”

George is entering the final year of his contract and the odds seemed long that he would leave Indiana even before Wednesday’s comments. The Pacers would have the right to match any offer he received next summer and have indicated they would do just that.

But George who grew up in Southern California and still lives there during the offseason was asked in July about the possibility that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was going to personally recruit him to play for the Lakers.

“Of course it would be tough (to say no to Kobe)” George told ESPN Radio. “You’re talking about playing (at) home.”

The comments generated a mild firestorm but may have been much adieu about nothing.

“No” George said when asked if there was any chance he would leave the Pacers. “Honestly I love it here. I want to be here. It’s a great place. There are no distractions. I can stay focused. It’s all about basketball here. I can stay focused and do my job.”